Awliya
/ˈɔː.liː.jə/noun
A plural Arabic-derived term for friends, protectors, patrons, or saints of God, especially in Islamic and Sufi contexts.
Did you know?In Sufism, awliya Allah—“friends of God”—refers to spiritually realized people believed to possess special closeness to the divine, though not necessarily supernatural powers.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*w-l-y
“A root associated with nearness, intimacy, alliance, protection, and authority”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
walī
“A near one, ally, protector, patron, or friend”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
awliyāʾ
“Plural of walī: allies, protectors, patrons, or close friends”
7th Century
Quranic Arabic
awliyāʾ Allāh
“The friends or close allies of God”
Medieval Islamic usage
Arabic/Persian
awliyā
“Saintly or spiritually privileged people, particularly in Sufi writing”
Modern English
English
awliya
“A transliterated Islamic term for saints or friends of God”